CountyScore

Des Moines County

Iowa · IA

#83 in Iowa
65.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Des Moines County, Iowa

Des Moines County Outpaces National Average

With a composite score of 65.3, Des Moines County exceeds the national median of 50.0, landing it at approximately the 65th percentile nationally. This solid ranking reflects above-average livability fundamentals for a county with urban anchors.

Slightly Below Iowa's State Average

Des Moines County scores 65.3 against Iowa's state average of 69.3, positioning it in the lower-middle tier of Iowa counties. While respectable, it trails some peer counties in overall livability metrics.

Affordability and Health Provide Foundation

Des Moines County offers strong cost efficiency with a score of 77.9 and median rent of $908, plus a health score of 75.8 that supports good healthcare access. These strengths make it attractive for families seeking economic breathing room with reasonable health infrastructure.

Income and Risk Are Primary Concerns

The income score of 23.0 reflects a median household income of just $60,662, the second-lowest in this group and a significant brake on financial mobility. The risk score of 44.2 also suggests moderate-to-elevated exposure to economic volatility and uncertainty.

For Modest-Income Families Seeking Stability

Des Moines County suits working families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and decent healthcare over high incomes or rapid wealth building. It's a practical choice for those with limited means seeking reasonable cost of living and community stability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax59.2Cost77.9SafetyComing SoonHealth75.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome23Risk44.2WaterComing Soon
🏛59.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡44.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Des Moines County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ware County
Georgia
65.3
Median income: $44,833
LaGrange County
Indiana
65.3
Median income: $83,741
Vigo County
Indiana
65.3
Median income: $52,525
Lee County
Iowa
65.3
Median income: $59,803
Union County
Iowa
65.3
Median income: $56,813

Deep Dives

Des Moines County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Des Moines County

via TaxByCounty

Des Moines County taxes well above average

Des Moines County's effective tax rate of 1.531% is roughly 39% higher than the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the nation's upper tier for property tax burden. The median annual tax of $2,097 sits below the national median of $2,690, a direct result of lower home values offsetting the high rate.

Among Iowa's most aggressive taxers

At 1.531%, Des Moines County's effective rate ranks among the highest in Iowa, outpacing the state average of 1.344% by 14 percentage points. The county's median tax of $2,097 exceeds the state median of $2,160 by a smaller margin, showing that its reputation comes from rate rather than home value.

Des Moines leads southeast Iowa taxing

Des Moines County's 1.531% rate ranks second-highest in the region after Decatur County (1.695%), notably outpacing Davis County (1.518%), Delaware County (1.343%), and Dubuque County (1.260%). This positions the county among the heaviest-taxing areas in eastern Iowa.

Your annual Des Moines County tax bill

On a median home valued at $137,000, Des Moines County homeowners pay approximately $2,097 per year in property taxes. For those with a mortgage, the annual escrow amount typically reaches $2,224; those without a mortgage pay around $1,950.

Your tax bill may be too high

Given Des Moines County's elevated tax rate, overassessment can hit particularly hard on household budgets. An assessment appeal is often worthwhile, especially if property values have declined or assessments haven't been recently reviewed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Des Moines County

via CostByCounty

Des Moines County's rent burden climbs high

At 18.0%, Des Moines County's rent-to-income ratio is the worst in this comparison and significantly exceeds the national average of 14%—a troubling gap of 4 percentage points. With median household income of just $60,662 (19% below the national median) and monthly rent of $908, the county faces genuine affordability stress.

Least affordable rents in Iowa

Des Moines County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds Iowa's 14.1% state average, marking it as the least affordable rental market statewide in this analysis. The median rent of $908 sits 12% above Iowa's average of $812, while median income of $60,662 lags the state by a significant margin.

Des Moines struggles compared to peers

Des Moines County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio dramatically outpaces neighboring Dickinson (15.0%) and Dubuque (14.9%), signaling acute affordability pressure. Even compared to economically challenged Decatur County (13.9%), Des Moines renters face disproportionate housing burden.

Housing squeezes Des Moines budgets

Renters in Des Moines County spend 18.0% of their $60,662 income—roughly $910 monthly—on housing, leaving limited funds for other essentials. Homeowners allocate 18.5% to $930 owner costs for properties valued at $137,000, indicating housing strain across both rental and ownership sectors.

Des Moines County demands income caution

Considering a move to Des Moines County? Budget carefully: its 18.0% rent-to-income ratio means housing consumes nearly one-fifth of household income, far above healthy levels. Unless relocating with above-average income prospects, this county presents genuine affordability challenges.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Des Moines County

via IncomeByCounty

Des Moines County trails national income

Des Moines County's median household income of $60,662 falls 19% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting economic challenges in this older industrial region. The gap indicates residents earn meaningfully less than the typical American household.

Bottom tier within Iowa

At $60,662, Des Moines County earns 13% less than Iowa's state average of $69,830, ranking it among the state's lowest-income counties. This position reflects the county's struggle with manufacturing decline and population loss.

Lowest earner in the region

Des Moines County's $60,662 income falls significantly behind Davis County ($79,505), Delaware County ($76,205), and Dubuque County ($75,919), representing the region's weakest economic performance. The $18,843 gap with Davis County underscores concentrated disadvantage.

Housing costs strain budgets

At 18.0%, Des Moines County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 30% affordability standard threshold for some residents, indicating housing cost pressures affect family budgets more severely than statewide. The median home value of $137,000 remains a significant commitment for lower-earning households.

Seek income growth through training

Des Moines County residents should prioritize career development and skills training, as income growth offers faster wealth-building than investment alone at this economic level. Explore community college programs, apprenticeships, or online certifications that align with regional job demand.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Des Moines County

via HealthByCounty

Des Moines County trails national health metrics

Des Moines County's life expectancy of 75.9 years falls below both the U.S. average (76.4 years) and Iowa's state average (77.7 years), marking one of the lowest in this analysis. At 16.0% reporting poor or fair health, the county shows health challenges, though slightly better than the national 18% average.

Among Iowa's lowest life expectancies

At 75.9 years, Des Moines County ranks among Iowa's poorest performers on life expectancy, falling nearly 1.8 years below the state average of 77.7 years. This gap persists despite reasonable insurance coverage rates, suggesting deeper structural health challenges.

Excellent provider access masks poor outcomes

Des Moines County has the highest primary care provider ratio (75 per 100,000) and one of the highest mental health provider ratios (264 per 100,000) among these eight counties, yet its 75.9-year life expectancy remains the second-lowest. This disconnect suggests health barriers beyond provider availability, such as socioeconomic factors or chronic disease prevalence.

Strong coverage and access, persistent challenges

Des Moines County's uninsured rate of 5.0% is excellent—well below both state (5.7%) and national (10.9%) averages—and provider access is abundant. Yet these assets have not yet translated into county-wide life expectancy gains, indicating that coverage and access alone cannot solve underlying community health determinants.

Maximize your Des Moines County coverage

Coverage is the foundation of good health, and Des Moines County's 5.0% uninsured rate shows most residents are protected. If you're among the uninsured, apply at Healthcare.gov today—and take full advantage of preventive benefits to address the health challenges your county faces.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Des Moines County

via RiskByCounty

Des Moines County: Above-Average Risk Profile

Des Moines County's composite risk score of 55.79 places it "Relatively Low" but well above Iowa's state average of 39.68, driven by tornado (69.40) and flood (56.04) exposure. The county also faces notably elevated earthquake risk at 56.71—the highest among Des Moines's peer counties—creating a three-threat profile unusual in the state. This combination reflects Des Moines's location along the Mississippi River and proximity to seismic zones.

Upper-Middle Risk Tier with Unique Quake Exposure

Des Moines County ranks in the upper-middle range of Iowa's disaster risk landscape, distinguished by extremely high tornado exposure (69.40) and unusually elevated earthquake risk (56.71) for eastern Iowa. This earthquake risk substantially exceeds state norms and reflects Des Moines's proximity to historical seismic activity zones. The combination of tornado, flood, and earthquake threats creates a multifaceted risk environment few other Iowa counties face.

Quake Risk Sets Des Moines Apart Regionally

Des Moines County's earthquake score of 56.71 far exceeds neighboring Louisa, Jefferson, and Henry counties, creating a distinctive seismic vulnerability within the region. Tornado and flood risks align more closely with neighbors, but Des Moines's earthquake exposure is regionally exceptional. This elevated seismic risk, combined with strong tornado exposure, distinguishes Des Moines from surrounding counties.

Tornadoes, Earthquakes, and Floods Converge

Tornado risk at 69.40 ranks among Iowa's highest, requiring robust safe room preparation and active weather monitoring during severe weather season. Earthquake risk at 56.71 is exceptionally high for the region, making home seismic assessment and securing heavy furniture a practical priority. Flood risk at 56.04 reflects Mississippi River proximity and tributary exposure, affecting low-lying properties year-round.

Multi-Hazard Preparedness Is Critical

Secure your home's foundation and anchor heavy furniture to walls to mitigate earthquake damage, a priority no other nearby county faces with equal urgency. Install a basement safe room for tornado protection and maintain flood insurance if within a mapped flood zone. Review your homeowner's policy for earthquake coverage options—many require separate endorsements—and update your plan annually.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.